Want to be more passionate about what you believe? Lead singer for Casting Crowns, Hall suggests that you may have inherited somebody else's ideas about faith. Through personal stories, scriptural insights, and interactive studies, he invites you to find fellowship and freedom in a genuine relationship with the living Lord. Discover the biblical Jesus for yourself! 256 pages, hardcover from Zondervan.
Too many people inherit somebody else’s Jesus, mimicking what they see in their family, friends, and pastor rather than facing the need to find their own Jesus. If we exist on someone else’s faith, we will miss the spiritual vitality and joy that comes from our own journey and in times of trouble we will find an empty well to draw from.
Average Rating: 5 out of 5 stars(5 out of 5 stars)
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5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Marilyn Knotts (Rock Falls, IL), October 15, 2009
Looking for a gift for the person who has everything? Look no further, because this fantastic new book by Mark Hall of Casting Crowns discusses how to get something that EVERYONE needs - their own walk with Christ. Mark is a gifted storyteller, and he shares the central message of the Gospel in such a way that it will speak to you no matter where you are in your relationship with Jesus - whether you are a new believer, a seasoned saint, or "somewhere in the middle." There is no "Christianese" here, just simple truths and stories that are so honest and transparent they will hit you between the eyes and go straight to your heart. A MUST READ - you will be blessed!
Be sure not to miss Casting Crown's new CD as well, due out 11/17/09!
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Deanna Woodrow (Sweet Home, Oregon), October 07, 2009
I loved this book. It's a must read for every believer, but especially those of us who have found our relationship with Christ lacking or luke warm. I'm giving copies to my adult sons who sometimes struggle to comprehend what a relationship with the Living God truly means. The stories and insights Mark Hall shares are thought provoking and filled with truth. I highly recommend this terrific book.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Chad Davis (Atlanta, GA), August 23, 2009
Complete with interesting and intriguing stories from both his own life and those of influential people in his life, Mark takes you on a journey to rediscover what a personal relationship with Jesus looks like. Mark brings up personal stories that will surprise you and engage you in his own personal struggles. At the same time, he lays out a road map to help readers examines their own lives and journey down the road of living life daily with Jesus.
Complete with a built in study guide, the book is set up to be used as a small group discussion guide as well. Broken up into short and easy to read sections, Mark takes specific points and expands on them quickly and clearly. His years serving as a youth pastor come out in his explanations making each point easy to understand.
Mark's basic point throughout the book is that for many of us (him included), our faith and relationship with Jesus is too often based on our pastor's or our parents' faith. When we're with them, it's easy to follow Jesus, but when we get out in the real world, we don't know how to relate to Jesus on our own, and our walk suffers because of this. Your Own Jesus provides the reader with a view of how to overcome this and encourages the reader to draw closer to Jesus and make Him your own.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Jon Wellman (Flatwoods, KY), August 21, 2009
“Jesus is a person.”
This quote does seem strange, doesn’t it? We often want to think of Jesus as a foreign entity, absent from our lives, not caring what we think, feel, need, or do. We want Jesus to fit into our definition of Him.
That quote comes from Your Own Jesus by Mark Hall, in which he uses practical (and sometimes mind-blowing) illustrations and wonderful writing to compel the reader to develop a relationship with the REAL Jesus, not the Jesus we want Him to be.
The most gripping aspect of this book is the way it incorporates lyrics from Casting Crowns’ songs into the text, giving even more life to songs that already have lives of their own. We get to see the insight and inspiration behind the music.
This book unpacks powerful truth in a language that is accessible to all. If you have ever seen a Casting Crowns concert or heard Mark Hall speak, you will hear his voice on every page. He delivers the reality of Jesus in a concise and multi-faceted way. But he doesn’t stop at letting us know who Jesus is: Mark shows us how our lives should look BECAUSE of who He is. Sin, repentance and forgiveness, living a Godly life, commitment, accountability, prayer, evangelism… it’s all in there.
This book will stretch your understanding of our Savior. A must read.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Terri (McDonough, GA), August 18, 2009
The latest book, "Your Own Jesus" by Mark Hall is a MUST READ for every Christian!!!! Whether you have been a follower of Christ for 20 years or 20 days, this book will change how you view your walk with Christ. The first time I read it, I sat down and finished it in about three hours. I don't read much non-fiction, but it completely held my attention. I'm reading it again so that I can digest all of the great teaching that is contained in this book. Mark writes in a very conversational style, one minute he's telling you a story about an albino possum and the next he's hitting you with a Biblical truth about forgiveness. One thing I've heard Mark say before is, "there should be a Scripture reference at the end of your opinion." This isn't his opinion, he's got Scripture to back it up!! Buy this book for everyone on your list-saved or unsaved-they will thank you for it! If you love the music from "The Altar and the Door," you'll love this!!!
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Jeff Honnold (Wadsworth, OH), August 15, 2009
"Your own Jesus" is a great read, especially for those that are familiar with the latest Casting Crowns CD, The Altar and the Door.
In this book Mark uses stories from his own life and other lives as well as strong Biblical examples of what it means to really have a relationship with Jesus. Each chapter is based on a song from the latest Casting Crowns project and the theme of the chapter ties in with the theme of the song.
Mark's goal throughout the book is to not just give fun or touching stories that explain the song, but to really try and connect with the reader and make them understand the importance of having a true relationship with Jesus - a relationship of your own and not a relationship that is based on other people's lives.
Mark is a youth leader at his church and as a fellow youth leader some of the stories really hit home (as did a great new idea to use with my leadership team that involves towels, corn syrup and dirt). Mark makes us all realize that we need to invest in the lives of everyone we come into contact with - especially youth - so that they may grow as disciples and be able to stand and face the world.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by John Brown (Cincy Ohio), August 12, 2009
This book was everything I expected from Mark. His insight and storytelling are amazing as usual. His truthfulness is refreshing. It's one of those books that you find hard to put down!
Readers familiar with his music (Casting Crowns) or his other book (Lifestories) will recognize that Mark uses his song titles as Chapter subtitles and the "God lines" of his songs throughout each chapter to give a poetic depth to each story that he tells.
I especially appreciate Mark's vast knowledge of the scripture and the way he proves so many points throughout the book by quoting or referencing it.
An absolute must read written by a greatly talented, but amazingly humble, Author/Youth Pastor/Singer/Songwriter/Performer/Teacher!
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Malissa (Fairview, OR), August 11, 2009
This is an excellent read for those who have been walking with the Lord for quite a while and for those who are just curious about it. I love the honesty of Mark Hall and the conviction he so lovingly shares with his readers. I love how he explains and encourages us all to make that relationship with Jesus...what Jesus would have it to be. Not what the church says or what loved ones say. I enjoyed how he used titles from the Casting Crowns music to subtitle his chapters and how each song captured what the chapter was about. For a huge fan like me it made each 'read' more personal.
Thanks be to God for gifting this man with songs and writings that bless us, teach us, and encourages us. I will pass this book on...that's how much I liked it.
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